Toppa Top 10: The Best ’90s Dancehall Videos (Selected By Jay Will)

Words by Jay Will—

Major Lazer’s brand-new video for “Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” is a tribute to the styles and fashions of ’90s dancehall. (Watch it here) Taking inspiration from some of the era’s most iconic videos, the video sees Major Lazer’s Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire—and “Watch Out For This” collaborators Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green—sporting loudly period-appropriate gear, while dancers and extras buss some of the ’90s most memorable dance moves.

The video, shot in Kingston, Jamaica, earlier this year, is the work of Jason “Jay Will” Williams, the director behind some of the current era’s most notable dancehall visuals, from Mr. Vegas’ “Bruk it Down” and “I Am Blessed” videos to Vybz Kartel’s Teacha’s Pet reality show. With “Watch Out For This” dropping today, we asked Jay to break down the 10 (+2) ’90s dancehall videos that most inspired “Watch Out For This”—and his imagination as a young, Jamaican dancehall fan and future music video director. Scroll through and take a trip through dancehall’s golden era…

10) Beenie Man-Modeling

“Modeling” is a comical look at a woman that doesn’t have any clothes to wear to the popular dancehall sessions. The video really shows off the fashion and flair of 90’s Jamaica with great scenes of Kingston.

9) Beenie Man—Wickedest Slam

Most of us Jamaicans remember when Beenie Man declared who have the wickedest slam, haha. The video showed off all of the more elaborate and raw dance moves and hairstyles that you would see in an actual dancehall session.

8) Terror Fabulous and Nadine Sutherland—Action

I think most Jamaicans can remember scenes from this video as they listen to this song; we know the lyrics word for word. Terror’s DJ mastery was accurately portrayed in all his performance scenes, while Nadine showed off her versatility as a dancer and singer.

7) Bounty Killer—Benz & Bimma

“Benz and Bimma” is a fullperformance video done in black and white. The impressiveness of the song coupled with the hot cars, clothes and hairstyles shown in the video catapulted this song and made it time-honored in our history.

6) Beenie Man—Old Dog

This video features non-stop dancing from start to finish. The fashion is striking — dancehall bashment on full display.

5) Shabba Ranks-Mr. Loverman

“Mr. Loverman” is a smooth fusion of constantly moving images. Surrounded by beautiful women, Shabba is impeccably dressed in ’90s fashions, with the memorable Bobby Brown haircut that was symbolic of that time period.

(***Honorable mention to Shabba’s “Trailer Load” video, which was to be included on this list but is currently unavailable for viewing in the US)

4) Mad Cobra-Flex

The scenes of  a sunlit Frenchman’s Cove Beach (located in Portland, Jamaica), blended with the silhouette scenes at sunset make this video remarkable to watch. And the video mirrors the song seamlessly.

3) Beenie Man—World Dance

Beenie Man really pushed the envelope with this song and video, which etched its way into dancehall history. A classic song on the classic Pepperseed riddim, the video features the late, legendary Bogle, Ice and the rest of the Black Roses Crew showcasing some of this era’s iconic dance moves.

2) Patra—Romantic Call

Patra played a huge role in 90’s Dancehall. “Romantic Call” blends the 90’s Dancehall culture with Hip Hop. The video is laced with raw images of Kingston and exciting dance routines intermixed with American scenes characteristic of the same time period.

1) Chaka Demus and Pliers—Murder She Wrote 

“Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” is an ode to the “Murder She Wrote” video. The fashion, dancing authenticity and all the other elements associated with that time period was an inspiration to me, when I heard the Major Lazer track. Interesting too, is the camera angles and the editing job on this video. I wanted to pay homage to such an epic video in our cultural history.

***See also the original, lower-budget version of “Murder She Wrote”

+1: Ouch Crew 1996:

The Ouch Crew was probably the most outrageous dance crew of the 90’s. They are known for over-the-top hairstyles and clothing. This video, compiled by Peter Dean Rickards/Afflicted Yard, shows a snippet of how the Ouch Crew got etched into dancehall history.

+2: Beenie Man—Nuff Gal

A whimsical video that shows off Beenie Man with many women, “Nuff Gal” also features Jamaica’s foremost and legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser. With some colorful costumes from Beenie Man and some humorous situations, this video has carved its way into our memories for all time.